App Store addicts can once again leave their Christmas shopping until the last minute and purchase gifts for their friends straight from their iPhones and iPads using the mobile storefront. After Apple’s iOS 6 update in September removed gifting entirely, the option to buy an app for someone else has returned and can now be found in the “Share” menu accessed via the button in the top-right corner of the app description.

The ability to gift apps on the iOS platform never went away entirely, though any iOS users who chose to update to iOS 6 in September have been restricted to the desktop version of iTunes on Mac or PC for their gifting needs. The new interface allows gifts to be sent immediately or on a specific date up to 90 days in advance of delivery.

Apple’s decision to remove gifting in the iOS 6 update is still not clear, with the only official word found in this support document from September which reads “app gifting is not available from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 6”. Now that the feature is back, it provides ample opportunity to send apps as gifts this festive season. Shoppers are reminded that in order for the recipient to successfully receive a gift, both parties must be using the same App Store region (country).